Island Park Ice Rink Now Open

The Island Park Ice Rink is now open to skaters. Located on the south softball field this 54’ x 95’ rink is open daily, weather permitting. There is no charge to use this facility, which is maintained by the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks Department.

As you are gathering up your skates, please review the outdoor ice rink rules before you hit the ice.

Island Park Outdoor Ice Rink Rules

Hours of Operation:

The Island Park Ice Rink is open daily, weather permitting.

The City of Mount Pleasant reserves the right to close the Ice Rink at any time in its sole discretion by posting a sign on the rink which states, “Rink Closed – No Skating.” Skaters shall not enter the Ice Rink area when the sign is posted.

Code of Conduct:

All Ice Rink participants, including skaters and bystanders, will be required to follow the general rules of conduct established in the City’s Parks and Recreation Ordinance (Section 97.01 – 97.21 of the City Code of Ordinances) while at the Ice Rink.

Further, all Ice Rink participants will be required to adhere to the following Ice Rink specific rules and regulations:

Skaters shall be courteous and cautious of other skaters and bystanders while using the skating area. Skaters shall not push, shove, or otherwise engage in raucous behavior while using the skating area.
Skaters shall not dig, spray, chip, throw, or otherwise expel ice or snow within the skating area.
The following shall be prohibited in the skating area:
1. Food and beverage items;
2. Tobacco products;
3. Hockey equipment, including hockey sticks, pucks, and nets;
4. Street shoes; and
5. Animals.
Skaters under the age of 5 shall be under adult supervision while in the skating area. The Ice Rink does not have designated supervisors. Skaters shall skate at their own risk.

Failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the Ice Rink could result in enforcement actions against you.

Lost Items and Reporting Misconduct:

The City of Mt. Pleasant is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

Report damage or acts of abuse to Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation at (989) 779-5331 or Police Anonymous T.I.P. Line at (989) 779-9111. In case of emergency call 911.

CHILL Grant Funding Available to City Residents

The city has been awarded $423,500 for home improvement projects through the CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The purpose of this grant is to develop and preserve decent, affordable housing for use by low- and moderate-income families. The city has contributed $50,000 to this program, resulting in a total of $473,500 available for home improvement projects.Project selection criteria include:

Homes must be located within the Mt. Pleasant city limits.
Homes must be at least five years old.
Household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. ($51,000 for a family of 2).
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
Maximum funding for a project is $40,000.
Any project costing more than $10,000 shall be a zero interest, zero payment loan, forgivable after five years. Loans shall be secured by a second mortgage, forgiven in full at the end of five years.
The city’s project priority is to work with homeowners to repair or replace furnaces and water heaters.

The deadline for homeowners to apply is February 7, 2025. Grant funding applications can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/chill or picked up at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

If you have any questions, or need application assistance, email Lauren Baker at lbaker@mt-pleasant.org.

Summary of Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission – 12/30/2024

Summary of Minutes of the special meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 30, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Approved the Agenda as presented.

Approved the amended 2024 Operating Budget as presented.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.

City of Mt. Pleasant Christmas Tree Collection

City of Mt. Pleasant Street Department staff will be picking up discarded Christmas trees from January 6-17, 2025. No refuse tags are needed for collection.

Trees are to be placed at the curb, no alleys. If you know you will be using this service, please call (989) 779-5401 or email publicworks@mt-pleasant.org with the date the tree will be curbside. All tinsel and plastic bags must be removed, and the trunk ends of the trees facing the street. Evergreen wreaths will not be collected. After January 17 trees may be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility or disposed of through the City’s brush chipping program.

Multi-Family Housing Unit Fire

On December 22, 2024, at 3:57 a.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Walnut Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon arrival, crews observed a two-story, eight-unit multifamily housing building partially engulfed in flames, with fire extending from the entrance door up through the roof. The fire was brought under control by 4:41 a.m.

The building sustained heavy fire damage to four of the front units and heavy to moderate smoke damage to the back four units. All building tenants are displaced and working with the building owner and the American Red Cross to find temporary housing.

Three occupants were transported to a local hospital for burns and smoke inhalation injuries. All other occupants were able to exit the building safely.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The MPFD was assisted by the Deerfield Township Fire Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Isabella Northeast Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Consumers Energy, DTE and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Fire Damages Trailer Home

On December 20, 2024, at 6:38 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a structure fire at the Bradley Street Trailer Park located at 505 S. Bradley Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon arrival, crews observed a trailer with smoke and fire coming from the roof and eaves. The fire was brought under control by 7:50 p.m. The trailer sustained heavy smoke and fire damage throughout.

Occupants were home at the time of the fire and exited safely. MPFD personnel remained on scene to salvage as many items as possible for the occupants.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the fire.

The MPFD was assisted by the Deerfield Township Fire Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Mobile Medical Response, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Special Meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission– December 30, 2024

A special meeting of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission has been scheduled for Monday, December 30, 2024 at 7 p.m. Here is the topic to watch at this in person, and virtual meeting.

Consider amendment to 2024 operating budget.

To view the entire meeting packet visit:

Click to access 12-30-24%20Agenda.pdf

How to follow public meetings:

The City Commission Meeting will be held in person in the City Chambers/City Hall (320 W. Broadway Street) with virtual attendance options as well. Non-voting participants may view the meeting live on the City’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/, on Spectrum Charter channel 188 or via Zoom.

If a virtual option becomes unavailable due to technical difficulties, the meeting will continue as scheduled. Residents who would like to provide a comment during the appropriate time are welcome to come to the meeting at City Hall or email their statement to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

To participate via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87121500876?pwd=xB8FKTzP5b9ikag8u7kgZ78bajkR2z.1

Meeting ID: 871 2150 0876

Passcode: 851632

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

The audio and video will be muted for members of the public and then unmuted by the host during public comment periods.

For participants accessing via computer or smartphone please use the “Raise Your Hand” icon to indicate you would like to speak. First, click on the “Participants” icon at the bottom of your screen. Next, click on the “Raise Your Hand” icon near the bottom right corner of the screen.

To raise your hand for telephone dial-in participants, press *9.

Members of the public may be muted or removed if using abusive language or if they become disruptive to the meeting.

Virtual attendance to the meeting and participation during public comment periods will be conducted as follows:

Members of the public are asked to provide their name and address with any comments.
Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting, or during the meeting via email to comment@mt-pleasant.org. Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment period.

Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Elizabeth Busch ebusch@mt-pleasant.org

Bryan Chapman bchapman@mt-pleasant.org

Maureen Eke meke@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

Grace Rollins grollins@mt-pleasant.org

Boomer Wingard bwingard@mt-pleasant.org

Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate may call the Human Resources office on (989) 779-5314. Persons requiring speech or hearing assistance may contact the city through the Michigan Relay Center at 711. 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.

Head on Collision Results in Double Fatality

On December 17, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) responded to a call involving a head-on collision on Broomfield Street east of Mission Street.

Upon arrival, MPPD officers determined there was one vehicle with a 51-year-old male driver and a 75-year-old male passenger, both from Mt. Pleasant. A 43-year-old male from Elwell was in the other vehicle.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger of the one vehicle was transported to a local hospital.

This accident remains under investigation. Names are not being released due to notification of family.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Central Michigan University Police, Michigan State Police, Mobile Medical Response, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

City of Mt. Pleasant Recognized for Supporting Business in their Community

The City of Mt. Pleasant has been named a 2024 eCities Honored Community for its successes and efforts in contributing to Michigan’s growth. The designation was given as part of the annual eCities study, conducted by iLabs, the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Office of Engagement and Impact. The four other Honored Communities are the cities of Battle Creek, Romulus, Sault Ste. Marie, and Tecumseh.

According to City Manager Aaron Desentz, “This eCities recognition is tangible evidence that the City of Mt. Pleasant continues to focus on all forms of economic development, while enhancing capital assets through improved roads and pathways. To be recognized out of a field of 277 communities is an honor.”

The eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities from 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on the five-year changes in property values, community assets, and tax rates, which can demonstrate the growth, investments, and cost of doing business within the community. For example, over the five-year period of 2019-2023, these communities increased their capital assets by an average of 3.71 percent per year by investments such as new buildings, roads and bike paths, and library renovations. Further, these places are home to 86 percent of Michigan’s real commercial property and have 64 percent of the state’s total property value. Communities that have seen the strongest growth in business development over the past five years, while controlling the costs of doing business in town, are designated as five- and four-star communities.

Although accounting for less than 20 percent of the State’s cities and townships, the 277 communities analyzed are home to 71 percent of Michigan’s population and 87 percent of the state’s commercial property. “Each year, we enjoy recognizing the efforts made by cities and townships throughout Michigan to support business growth and entrepreneurship in their communities,” said Kari Kowalski, Assistant Director of iLabs.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy of Mt. Pleasant; accepting applications now

The eighth Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property, or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close-up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 18, February 25, March 4, March 18, April 1, April 8, and April 15. CMU learning credits may be available for those who complete the program. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 21 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online and are accepted until February 4, 2025. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.